Academic Research
studying how to teach effectively
The overarching theme of my research interests would be writing or, more broadly, composition and rhetoric. It is impossible to list all questions of interest to me, but areas of inquiry include:
Creative Writing Interests
- How do writers guide readers within fictional works?
- What are successful literary strategies and why?
- How does literature shape and reflect formal philosophies?
- How can we foster life-long creative expression?
Academic Writing Interests
- How should we adapt writing courses online for students with special needs?
- How can we implement and maintain “writing across the curriculum” (WAC) programs within our schools and universities?
- Why should we accept the current academic genres?
The ‘Rhetoric’ of Creative Writing
Creative writing is a “rhetorical act” that inherently manipulates the eventual reader. Wayne Booth’s The Rhetoric of Fiction shaped my understanding of what it means to be an author. As the New York Times suggested, Booth reminded us that “authors seduce, cajole and more than occasionally lie to their readers in the service of narrative” (2005). When I am writing I do not ponder the grand concepts explored by Booth; they are internalized. What I have wondered for years is how to teach the concepts as skills, leading to art. Can the rhetorical devices of effective creative writing be taught?
Philosophy and Fiction
Additionally, I research the influence of Continental Philosophy on writing, particularly modern fiction and new media. The term “existential” is used to describe many works of fiction, but does the term apply? Is existentialism misunderstood by critics of fiction, placed under the heading “postmodern” for convenience? The need to understand the “self” is a major element of fiction, especially in works arguing that existence itself is illogical or absurd.
Philosophers, even those challenging “meaning,” tend to create complex lexicons. They do this because meaning and clarity do matter to them, even while they argue meaning is personal.
Literacy Education
Because communication is the foundation for society, it is essential that we foster literacy in our educational system. We should not define “literacy” as the reading and writing of words; instead, we should embrace a broad definition of literacy education.
Autism Spectrum Disorders
and Language Arts Education
As a researcher and educator, I have a personal interest in students with developmental disorders, in particular autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Among the challenges for autistic students, ASDs affect language development and social skills. Writing is social, requiring both collaborative skills and empathy for the audience. I believe we can and must use technology to help students with autism express themselves. Effective self-advocacy and participation in the greater community both require a form of “composition literacy” that extends beyond traditional writing, as well.
- The Autistic Place (http://www.autisticplace.com): A Drupal and MediaWiki Web site dedicated to issues of autism and education. The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, funded the research and provided the support resources to create this specialized Web portal.